The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover following the close together retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, before the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill got injured very early in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second series sweep at home suffered by India in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming India's hopes of making the decider of this season as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have dropped to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an aberration.
Today, the team look to be vulnerable on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to do well abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it fails to account for why India's performances on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws post the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the side.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, driven by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
